An archway featuring the stadium’s name stretches above massive gates. Inside, walls are adorned with names of coaches, players and historic teams from the program’s proud history. And beyond the ticket booth, with the grandstand and field in the background, stands a massive statue of the team’s mascot.

Welcome to a new day in Kirksville High School athletics at Spainhower Field.

The Orange & Black Foundation cut the ribbon on the Spainhower Field entryway project Wednesday afternoon, capping nearly two years of translating a vision into reality. Utilizing donations from local businesses and community members, the entryway is the latest addition to the football stadium that last year saw more than $1.2 million in improvements in the form of a new grandstand and installation of an artificial turf field.

“Most of you know that Kirksville football has a proud history of 113 years,” said Rick Gooch, president of the Orange & Black Foundation, the group of community members who banded together to make the entryway possible. “The Orange & Black Foundation is proud to add this page to the ongoing book called ‘Kirksville Football.’”

Gooch said the entryway idea was born nearly two years ago, when some parents traveled to Marceline, Mo., for a fifth and sixth grade football game and were impressed by that school’s facilities. They wanted to bring something equally, if not more impressive, back to Kirksville.

“[Wednesday] is the first time we’ve been able to let other folks see the vision we’ve had for displaying Kirksville history,” said Foundation member Andy Grimm.

Kirksville R-III Superintendent Patrick Williams said when the group first approached him with their idea and plan to raise more than $150,000, he wasn’t sure if they could pull it off.

“But they exceeded any expectation,” he said. “This gives us an indication of the potential that is here, the pride that exists and the generosity that is here in the community.”

Foundation member Shane Webber agreed.

“This school has given us so much over the years. To have so many people pulling on the same end of the rope, enriching the kids’ experience in the program with all the facilities the school can do, to have some people give support outside the box, that’s pretty special,” he said.

The entryway’s interior is a tribute to the past that includes a photo and story about the inaugural 1900 team, rosters and records of successful teams, a list of the school’s 22 head coaches and 35 all-state players, and the names of the six people presently inducted into the KHS Football Hall of Fame.

Page 2 of 2 - “We hope it gives some inspiration to the next generation and the kids who walk through there,” Gooch said. “They read the names of the previous players and coaches, and for example if they look at the names of the all-state players, I’m hoping some of the kids look at that and say, ‘Someday my name is going to be on that wall.’”

“Shag” Grossnickle, 98, was one of the KHS legends on hand for Wednesday’s ceremony and said he’s hopeful the entryway proves to be something helpful for students pursuing bright futures.

“I’m hopeful that we are doing something for these students, give them the best thing we can for what they deserve, give them the best opportunity to advance themselves and make good citizens,” he said.

Corey Eagen, a 2005 graduate, was a member of the most recent team to be featured in the entryway, the 2004 Tigers that finished 8-4 and reached the state quarterfinals. He said the project meant a lot to him as a former Tiger player and he hopes current and future players gain a better sense of the program’s history.

“Sometimes I think we forget about all the past teams and history, and even for the current players getting to know that Kirksville football has been around a long time, and seeing all that history, and playing out on that field, and all these guys before you who were playing out on that field, it’s pretty cool,” Eagen said.

Gooch said there were too many individual donors to thank at the ceremony, but made special mention to Preferred Family Healthcare for sponsoring the tiger statue and Northeast Regional Medical Center for sponsoring the ticket booth.

Sparks Construction served as general contractor. Other groups to work on the project included R&S Masonry, Martin’s Electric and Wilson Granite.

The Kirksville football team plays its home opener Friday night at 7 against Moberly.